Golden Nereid

Another from that archive!

“Get the lifter on that rock!" a concerned voice to your left shouted.
"Right chief. Cables are on it," came the calm response.
"What?" you tried through a croaky voice.
"Ms. Vennasa? You're with us again," came the calm reply.
"What?" you tried again.
"The rock face slipped. Your legs are under a slab of rock," the voice announced.
"The dive? Next week?"
"Won't be one. Sorry. Six months at bext ... likely a year."

When next you awakened, you looked at the smooth sheet where your legs had been and knew the worst. There'd be no deep dives for you. Not next week, not in six months, never. Tears filled your eyes. The doctor and nurses were little help. You didn't want to just walk. You wanted, no -- needed, to swim. No leg prosthetics would help.

Twenty days later, your doctor and another man were outside your room. You could just catch snatches of their discussion as they walked towards your room.

"--get her hopes up," the doctor announced definitely.
"--prosthetics improved markedly since -- new experimental implant -- computer mediation," came an unfamiliar voice.
"--experimental! What if it doesn't work?"
"It works. We've tried it. She deserves the change to try it if she wants to."
"This is the first time in a human though. It's just not the same with animals and you know it."
"And she has another option? A wheelchair perhaps after a lifetime of diving? Not a choice I'd make, that's certain."
"I can't support this, you know. I just don't think you are ready for human trials yet."
"We are ready!" 

The two men put on false smiles as they entered your room.

"Ms. Vennasa," stated the doctor. "Dr. Kianar from Nereid Corporation has a proposal to put to you."
"And that is?" you asked belligerently. "Any better option than the last ten or so? I want to dive again."
“Kianar can give you -- at a price," your doctor shook his head. "Too high a price in my opinion."
"Can you give me back my diving again?" you glared at Dr. Kianar.
"We can. We can give you complete freedom underwater. But there will be --"
"You are sure?" you interrupted.
"Well, yes. I wouldn't be here otherwise. It's just that --"
"Fine. Where do I sign?" 

Diving was everything -- didn't they know that? The form was presented and signed.

"When?"
"You'll be transferred to our research centre later today. We'll start the process then. But are you sure you don't want --"
"If I can dive again, you do what you have to. Fine?" 

You stared both men into silence.

Your trip in the ambulance was uneventful. The next three weeks were a frustrating bore. Measurements, scans, strength tests, lung capacity, all sorts of strange things you couldn't understand. Still, to dive again. It would be worth it.

"Ms. Vennasa?" Dr. Kianar interrupted your trance. "We're ready to begin the next stage now. Are you absolutely certain you don't want to know what is about to happen? You've adamantly insisted on not knowing."

"I don't care. I need to dive again."
"Very well. By this time tomorrow, you'll be able to dive again. But you won't --"
"Sh!" you hissed. "I don't care!" 

He shrugged and left the room. Later that day, the nurses gave you a sedative and prepped you for surgery. You fell into the anesthetic with a last joyful thought of diving yet again.  Slowly the mists parted. You looked at the clock on your clock table. You'd been under nearly two days. A voice beside you startled you.

"It went well," Dr. Kianar's voice announced. "Your new prosthetic body is working perfectly. The neural nets are learning your body's neural pathways. You'll soon be in the water again."
"I love you doctor. When?" 

Then catching sight of the bulge under the sheets, you smiled. You had legs again! Quickly whipping back the covers, your eyes opened wide in shock. 

"A mermaid?!!" was all you could think to say.